“For many years RAC research has shown that a majority of motorists regard speed cameras primarily as revenue generators for the police,” said RAC chief engineer David Bizley at the time. “And it appears that the Bedfordshire police and crime commissioner harbours this view too, or at least he is using this as an opportunity to make a very serious point about resourcing.

“Motorists tell us that they would like to see better enforcement and more roads police officers, but enforcement needs to be prioritised in terms of road safety benefits and not in terms of the value of the revenues generated.”

Currently there are around 236 miles of smart motorways in the UK – and this number could almost double in the near future.